The personal and conversational style documentary Thelonious Monk: American Composer was the first fully rounded portrait of Thelonious Sphere Monk, a terribly misunderstood man and musician finally given his due as a true original of American music. He was the pianistic ringleader of the bebop revolution and, after Duke Ellington, jazz’ first major composer. Appearing on the cover of Time Magazine in 1964, Monk had “arrived” as a top tier name in jazz. Monk - a most original talent - remained a highly productive musician even after thirty years of musical activity, always growing as an artist, exploring his art and extending his range. This documentary, filmed at Minton's Playhouse in New York City, includes conversations with Thelonious Monk III, Ben Riley, Billy Taylor, Orrin Keepnews and Randy Weston.